Liverpool charities have reacted to PM Rishi Sunak's announcement that mental health services will get an extra £150m funding.
READ MORE: Liverpool Council looking for seven top directors with salaries totalling nearly £900,000 per year "We thoroughly welcome the introduction of mental health ambulances. However, we need a structural change with how hospitals deal with those with mental health issues."Research conducted by S. Kundu et al. within Liverpool hospitals last year, found that around a third of patients would re attend A&E within one week with mental health issues.
"Training needs to provided for NHS staff members regarding signposting to not only additional mental health support services but, economic support which highly correlates with increased poor mental health and suicide. However, implementations require appropriate funding and improved staff retention.
"We did however hear from the Director of Mental Health from the Department of Health & Social Care, Fiona Walshe. On behalf of the secretary of state, she committed to the creation of a new mental health plan. However, to our surprise, this would occur in the summer. The 150 projects include new mental health urgent assessment and care centres, redesigned and refurbished existing mental health facilities including in emergency departments, spaces outside of A&E, and the expansion of crisis lines. The DHSC said the remaining £7 million of the funding will go to the new ambulances which have been designed to provide a calmer environment for the patient.